Serge apostoloff



S. APOSTOLYOFF ELECTRIC BATTERY ELEMENT Filed may 21. 1918 n.4 f 0 1 I. ...l/n..

.......w 4 Mr Patented Aug. 25, 192.5.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE.-

sEEGEArosToLoEE, or NEw YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-BATTERY ELEMENT.

' I Applicatonvled'May 21, 1918. Seriall No. 235,883.

"is either retained in such a manner, or is itself in such a condition, that it will not flow from the cells when the latter are tipped or inverted, it is to be understood that many of the features of my invention "Z0 are applicable to batteries of other types such, for example, as storage batteries; also that my said separator will lbind and isolate the active mass ofthe depolarizer, and prevent disintegration thereot, while it will facilitate the ionization of the current between the electrodes.

The principal object of my invention is to provide, for batteries of such character, an improved means and method for protecting the depolarizer against disintegration.

Another object of my invention is to simplify the manufacture of the present socalld flash light dry batteries, which are all, without exception so far as-I am aware,

using a wrapper of cotton cloth, which is tied around the depolarizer for insulating purposes, a procedure very slow in production, costly in labor, and very clumsy `fromv a manufacturing point of view.

Practically all of the well known forms of dry batteries employ zinc and carbon for the positive and negative electrodes respectively; manganese dioxide or a similar substance as the depolarizing agent; and a neutral or nearly neutral solution as the elec-` trolyte. The carbon is usually pressed into the depolarizing mass orming'a small cyl- -inder which, whenl sufficiently hardened after exposure to ordinary-air for about .50 three days, is enclosed in a cottonwrapper and inserted into the zinc electrode-which is usually in the form of a cylindrical tube firmly closed at the bottom. f

The electrolyte used inl cells of this type usually consists of a sticky-or pasty mass,

commonly called the battery mix, and is formed either by mixing a solution of theelectrolyte with a suitable dry substance, such as flour, starch, gelatine, fruit extracts, isinglass, etc., or by pouring liquid on a dry substance containing theelectrolyte material. The Zinc tube` is filled with a charge of the electrolyte and is sealed on the top by 'sealing wax or -pitch, and the cellpis then ready for use.

In constructing a 'battery cell according to my invention the carbon and depolarizing mass may be brought together in the usual manner, my .invention consisting, briefiy, in providing a new and improved binder which takes the place of the cotton wrapper.

To produce this binder I take material which is of an extremely spongy or porous 1 nature, such as pumice stone, kieselguhr, or other infusorial earths, possessing; the

capacity to absorb liquids, whether' jelliedn by any of the above mentioned-mixtures of organic matters with the requisite electrolyte or not.

I lirst compose a creamy mixture consisting of say kieselguhr and either pure water or the electrolytic Huid, still in the state ot a thin liquid containing -theidesired salts,`

such for Ainstance as sal-ammoniac and zinc chloride with or without 1 per cent of starch.`

Where hardening of this creamy mass is desired I add from 5 to 10 per cent of a binder such as alum, Portland cement, magnesia, or ordinary silica.

Premature setting of this mixture during operation may be retarded either by keeping the mixture warmed t0 a tepid temperature, or by adding thereto from l to 10 per cent of an acetic solutiony This mixture may either be applied as a coating to the depolarizing material either by painting it on the same with a brush, or

by dipping the depolarizing material into the mixture or the mixture may be mixed directly with the electrolyte and the coating operation dispensed with.

When applied as a coating to the depolarizer the consistency of the mixture may be regulated so that from the time of brushing or dipping up to the time of depositing the carbonand depolarizer in the zinc tube the mixture will have set or dried sufficiently to 7preserve its coating intact. I` can however 110 hasten the setting or drying by dipping or painting it again with a solution of bi-sulphate of iron with from 1 to 2 per cent of sulphuric acid 66 Beaum added thereto which may. be washed cti subsequently.

The above method is especially applicable where the manufacturer desires to preserve his present type of electrolytic mass, and employ 'my invention instead of using the cotton wrapping and tying method above described.

My invention is applicable with vmarked advantage if it is used by employing the spongy mixture as a complete container of the electrolyte, thc spongy mass then serving as a filter and ionizing screen between the depolarizer and the inner wall of the zinc tube. is required.

, In employing my invention in this manner the creamy mixture of kieselguhr and the electrolyte is made of desired consistency, and the zinc tube is filled upv with it. to

a predetermined level so that when the carbon and depolarizer is inserted therein the Amass will attain the level usually fixed for therein.

of a carbon bobbin with depolariz'ing ma-.

terial with my spongy covering applied thereto; i

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional vieW of the same;

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sec-' tional view of a battery cell constructed according to my invention-*where the carbon In this case no brushing or dipping.

bobbin is inserted directly into the spongy mass containing the electrolyte; and,

Figure 4: is a similar view to the last, showing a bobbin covered according to my invention inserted into thebattery cell in the usualcmanner. c.

'10 indicates the carbon electrode, and 11 the depolarizing material, which is brought together with the carbon in the usual manner, 12 indicating my spongy covering,

which has been applied to the outside of the depolarizing material by brushing or dipping, as above described.

vFigure 4 shows the complete construction of a battery cell according to my invention, 15 being the Zinc container: v

Referring to Figure 3, 14 represents the electrolyte, which' in this case consists of my spongy mass, as above described, which also contains the electrolyte, and in which the carbon bobbin is embedded without the necessity of irst'covering it.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to the embodiments and features specifically shown and described herein, but that such embodiments and features are subject to many changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of my invention.

llVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z-T 1. In a battery cell the combination with a bobbin, of an electrolyte containing a silicious material of a spongy or porous nature, and ay binder. 2. In a battery cell the combination with the bobbin, of a'depolarizing material, an electrolyte containing a silicious, spongy or porous material, and a binder.

3. In a battery cell the combination With -a bobbin, of an' electrolyte containing a silicious, spongy or porous material.

In testimony whereof, 'I have signed my name to this specification this 7th day of May 1918.

SERGE APOSTOLOFF.` 

